Fourth consecutive ‘A’ places Saline Memorial among nation’s safest hospitals

The Leapfrog Group again recognizes the hospital’s strong performance in preventing harm

BENTON, Ark. (May 21, 2026) – Saline Memorial Hospital has maintained an “A” hospital safety grade for the fourth consecutive rating period from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. The designation places Saline Memorial among the safest hospitals in the nation.

For patients in Saline County, the rating offers a clear, independent view of how well the hospital protects patients from harm. Leapfrog assigns letter grades to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, injuries and infections, along with the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.

Full details on the grading, as well as valuable tips for staying safe in the hospital, are available at HospitalSafetyGrade.org.

“Earning another Leapfrog Grade A reflects the discipline, vigilance and compassion our teams bring to patient care every day,” said Char Boulch, CEO of Saline Health System. “This rating isn’t a moment for us — it’s a standard we hold ourselves to, and I’m proud of the people who make that possible.”

Leapfrog is the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries. The program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

“An ‘A’ Grade is a strong sign that Saline Memorial Hospital is deeply committed to protecting patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, Leapfrog president and CEO. “We commend the leadership, board, clinicians, staff and volunteers for the role each played in earning this distinction.”